NSW brake testing receives transition extension

A further extension has been provided for brake testing transition arrangements in NSW.

NHVR and Road and Maritime Services have offered the extension until 30 June.

The initial transition period allowed heavy vehicles that achieved a brake test result greater than 3 kN/t, but less than 4.5 kN/t, to be given an official warning on first time detection.

During the extended transition, further official warnings will be issued for intercepted vehicles that do not conform to the brake performance standard.

“We are continuing to review national brake test results collected by Roads and Maritime and industry to determine the most appropriate way to test types of trailer brakes,” NHVR Safety Director Daniel Elkins said.

“We need to better understand why some types of trailers are not able to meet the brake performance standard. It is applicable that we extend the current transition period in NSW to June 30.”

The NHVR encourages operators to regularly maintain their vehicles and take appropriate steps to ensure they exceed the standards in the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual, which was implemented in NSW on 1 July last year.

The National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual provides a nationally consistent approach to assessing compliance to the vehicle standards across participating states and territories.

This is just one of a number of safety initiatives the NHVR is working on to minimise harm to property, heavy vehicle drivers and other road users.

The current transition period was due to end on 31 January.